Insta360 X5 8K 360° Action Camera Review: A Game-Changer for Creators

The Insta360 X5 is the latest flagship in Insta360’s lineup of 360° action cameras — now in its fifth generation. Packed with cutting-edge features like dual 1/1.28″ sensors and a triple AI chip, the X5 brings significant improvements in low-light performance and overall image quality. As a 360° camera, it offers one of the biggest advantages for creators: the ability to shoot first and frame later, giving you maximum flexibility in post-production.

Key Features and Highlights

One of Insta360’s signature features, the invisible selfie stick effect, continues to impress. Whether you’re snowboarding, skiing, or capturing other high-action moments, the X5 automatically removes the stick from the frame, delivering clean, immersive footage.

The camera also features FlowState Stabilization, ensuring ultra-smooth video that’s easy to watch and won’t make viewers feel dizzy — a critical element for action shooters.

For challenging lighting conditions, the X5 offers 5.7K 60fps active HDR video, allowing you to handle bright backgrounds or dark shadows without sacrificing detail. The newly improved wind guard microphone system reduces wind noise, making sure your audio stays clear. Plus, with waterproofing up to 49 feet (15 meters), the X5 is ready for underwater adventures.

To make editing easier, Insta360 provides AI-powered editing tools that can automatically process your footage, or you can manually fine-tune everything using the mobile app.

What’s in the Essentials Bundle

The Essentials bundle comes with key accessories:

• Basic selfie stick: lightweight and extendable, with an optional longer version available.

• Battery with gasket-sealed door: ensuring waterproofing up to 49 feet.

• Lens cover: for added protection.

• Tripod thread mount: compatible with tripods and selfie sticks.

• USB-C charging cable and cleaning cloth.

• Cleaning and style stickers: for lens maintenance and customization.

• Compact carrying case and a smaller soft case for more portable setups.

Also included are standard lens guards—small domes that cover the lenses for extra durability. For those concerned about damage, the replacement lens kit lets you easily swap lenses yourself with tools provided, adding peace of mind to your investment.

Additional Accessories

• Foldable 2-in-1 selfie stick: collapses into a tiny, pocketable format and can be paired with a mini remote for tripod use.

• Bullet Time Selfie Stick 2.0: enables the famous 360° “Matrix-style” spinning shots, with adjustable angles at 65°, 75°, or 90°.

• Extended Edition Selfie Stick: a carbon fiber stick so long it can mimic drone-like shots, especially useful for capturing unique perspectives like car follow-cam footage.

Shooting Modes and Performance

The X5’s drone shot mode is particularly impressive. Combined with the extended selfie stick, it creates the illusion of an aerial drone shot, but without the hassle of flight permits or extra equipment. This makes it perfect for places where drones aren’t practical.

Pure Video Night Mode is one of the biggest leaps from the previous generation, dramatically improving low-light footage. Even in dimly lit environments like parks or indoor spaces, the X5 brightens the scene without excessive noise.

For scenes with extreme contrast — such as bright sunlight behind a subject — the HDR mode handles highlights and shadows effectively.

Object tracking keeps the subject in frame when using a tripod or mount, making it great for solo creators. Recording can be triggered via gestures or voice commands, and a twist-to-shoot feature on longer selfie sticks makes it easy to start recording without touching the camera.

Flexible Editing and Output

Thanks to the 8K resolution, footage can be edited into a variety of final products, from wide-angle shots to timelapses, without significant loss of detail. The Insta360 editor makes it easy to reframe and export clips, making it ideal for social media, YouTube, and other platforms.

Final Thoughts

The Insta360 X5 delivers an impressive combination of hardware and software innovations, designed for maximum creativity and flexibility. With a wide range of accessories, shooting modes, and intelligent editing tools, the X5 is a powerful tool for action enthusiasts, vloggers, and professional content creators alike.